Omanyala’s Coach Outlines Main Priority for Outdoor Season After Indoor Injury Setback

Coach Duncan Ayiemba has revealed that the main focus for Ferdinand Omanyala following a difficult indoor campaign is preparing him to deliver a strong performance when the outdoor track season begins.

Ayiemba explained that their current training plan is centred on ensuring the African record holder regains peak condition after the challenges he faced earlier in the year. Despite the setbacks, the coach believes the team remains firmly on track with their long-term objectives.

According to Ayiemba, the indoor competitions were primarily used as preparation rather than a stage where results were the main priority. The goal was to refine Omanyala’s start from the blocks, which had been identified as an area that needed improvement.

“The indoor season for us is simply part of the bigger plan; we are still moving in the right direction,” Ayiemba said in remarks reported by Mozzart Sport.

“The main target has been improving his start, and we’ve already seen progress. We want to polish that aspect so that once the outdoor season begins, he will be fully ready.”

Beyond technical work, Ayiemba has also been focusing on maintaining Omanyala’s confidence. The coach regularly reminds the sprinter of his position among the world’s top athletes in the 100 metres.

He stressed that recent struggles do not take away from Omanyala’s ability to compete with the best sprinters globally.

“I always remind him that he is still the beast,” Ayiemba said. “There is currently no new athlete who has surpassed his level. That alone should motivate him. I tell him not to worry because he still belongs among the very best.”

Injury Played Role in Indoor Season Challenges

Ayiemba also revealed that Omanyala’s mixed results during the indoor season were largely influenced by an injury he sustained toward the end of the previous campaign.

The Kenyan sprinter had been dealing with discomfort affecting his hip, iliopsoas and gluteal muscles. The injury was serious enough to force him to withdraw from the Diamond League Final, disrupting his preparation.

Because of this, the coach said the indoor races were approached more as an opportunity to assess the athlete’s recovery rather than chase podium finishes.

“When he went into the indoor season, he was not at full fitness because he was still coming back from injury,” Ayiemba explained.

“The idea was to test how his body would respond with the limited training he had managed. He wasn’t completely healthy, but he was improving and I believe he gave his best effort.”

Omanyala’s struggles were visible at the Elite Indoor Track Miramas Meeting, where he placed eighth in the 60-metre final after clocking 6.86 seconds.

Earlier in the season, he had finished fourth in his heat at the Meeting de Paris Indoor, missing out on qualification for the final.

Despite those results, Ayiemba remains confident that the African sprint star is gradually regaining his form and will be ready to compete strongly once the outdoor season gets underway.